Raaj FM in trouble for offensive language

Raaj FM has been found in breach of the Broadcasting Code for transmitting offensive language during a song.

The community radio station, broadcasting to the local Panjabi community in Sandwell, West Midlands, played the Dr. Zeus track Woofer featuring Snoop Dogg, which contains two uses of the word “motherfu**ers”. It happened on 18th December 2017 at 17:20 – the start of the school holidays too.

Two complains were received by the regulator, which concluded it was in breach of Rule 1.14: “The most offensive language must not be broadcast…when children are particularly likely to be listening”.

The Licensee apologised and accepted that the broadcast had breached Rule 1.14 of the Code. It said that the song in question was incorrectly labeled as the “radio version” and was not checked prior to broadcast.

The Licensee said it had taken steps to prevent such incidents from recurring, including reviewing its music playout policy to ensure checks are carried out on all songs before broadcast. It also confirmed that staff have been briefed on the reviewed policy and procedures.

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